2013 toyota tacoma Reviews and News

2013 Toyota Tacoma

By
Automobile Magazine
- 01/31/2013

New For 2013

A new Limited Package, available only on certain trim levels, adds niceties such as heated leatherette seats, eighteen-inch wheels, and a backup camera. All Tacomas now come with a 6.1-inch color touch screen.

Overview

Much like the 4Runner SUV, the Tacoma is the best product left in a segment other automakers have chosen to abandon or neglect. It’s also pretty darn cool, especially in X-Runner guise, which has a lowered suspension and eighteen-inch wheels, as well as a standard six-speed manual transmission. For shoppers with more premium predilections, Toyota now offers a Limited Package with heated front seats, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, leatherette seating surfaces, a backup camera, and eighteen-inch wheels. At the other end of the spectrum, the Tacoma can be had as a basic work truck with a modest 159-hp four-cylinder engine paired with a five-speed manual. The 4.0-liter V-6 would likely be the best choice for most buyers, as it enables up to 6500 pounds of towing. Altogether, there are about two dozen body and trim combinations, but the basic lineup consists of the regular cab; the Access Cab, which has rear-hinged doors; and the Double Cab, with full-size rear doors, flexible rear seatbacks, and a storage unit behind the second row. The Tacoma has long faced competition from cheap full-size trucks, but its smaller size offers agility that those trucks can’t match. Piloting a Tacoma around a crowded city is a refreshing reminder that not all pickups have to be monstrously oversized and difficult to park.

Safety

Front, side, and side curtain air bags; ABS; traction and stability control; trailer-sway control; and a tire-pressure monitoring system are standard. Backup sensors are optional.

You'll like:

Big enough to do real work

Small enough to park anywhere

X-Runner reaches 60 mph in seven seconds

You won't like:

In-line four could use more power

Interior looks dated, even after 2012 refresh

Key Competitors For The 2013 Toyota Tacoma

After a minor refresh in 2012, the Toyota Tacoma sails into 2014 with minor equipment changes and a slight price bump, according to a Toyota statement. The two-door regular cab now starts at $18,735 with destination, $250 higher than last year. There is also a new SR appearance package available for 2014 along with a newly available Entune audio system, and the sporty Toyota Tacoma X-Runner is dead for 2014.

Truck commercials typically employ a predictable script and storyboard. A chiseled, ruggedly handsome male with a perfectly-scruffy five-o-clock shadow, a truck plowing through a vigorously-flowing, but safely shallow stream, and some hay bales, rocks or other assorted rustic, tough payload goods being dumped into the bed. Toyota departs from convention somewhat with its latest Tacoma web ad spots, a four-part series called "Tacoma vs" Putting the Toyota Tacoma against some unlikely rivals.

No radical changes are in store for Toyota's trucks and Highlander SUV for 2013. Consolidation of popular equipment into new trim levels characterizes the bulk of the changes, with the Tacoma, Tundra and Highlander each gaining a new trim level, some of which were previously package option groups. To compete with its ever more lavish fullsize competitors, the Tundra adds a new top-of-the-line Platinum trim, as well as a TRD Rock Warrior package for those that like an aggressive appearance on their trucks.

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An inaccurate label could lead to owners overloading their vehicles and tires. An overloaded vehicle can result in a tire failure which may result in a vehicle crash, personal injury, or property damage.

Remedy

Southeast Toyota will notify owners and provide a corrected label with instructions concerning its installation. A small group of the affected vehicles will need additonal remedies which are still being developed. The recall began on May 28, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.

Potential Units Affected

7,525

Notes

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC

Recall Date

12-31-1969:21:35:31

Component

ENGINE

Summary

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Tacoma vehicles manufactured July 1, 2013, through October 11, 2013. The engines of the affected vehicles contain valve springs that may break over time.

Consequences

If the valve springs break, the engine could fail and stall while the vehicle is being driven, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the valve springs, free of charge. The recall began on November 27, 2013. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

Potential Units Affected

3,795

Notes

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Recall Date

12-31-1969:21:35:31

Component

TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE

Summary

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Tacoma vehicles equipped with 18" Maverick Alloy Wheels. In the affected vehicles, the spare tire requires the use of a different style of lug nut to attach it to the vehicle than the other wheels use. These lug nuts were not provided with the vehicle.

Consequences

If the spare tire/wheel is installed on the vehicle using the lug nuts from another wheel, damage to the wheel could result and may eventually lead to a loose wheel, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

SET will notify owners, and dealers will: (a) Install a Warning Label on the spare tire/wheel, (b) supply a bag containing proper spare wheel lug nuts, and (c) place an Owner's Manual Addendum in the vehicle's glove box. The recall began on January 23, 2014. Owners may contact SET at 1-954-429-2000.

Potential Units Affected

979

Notes

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC

Recall Date

12-31-1969:21:35:40

Component

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

Summary

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2012 and 2013 Toyota Tacoma and Lexus RX350 vehicles and certain model year 2012 Toyota Rav4 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the brake system contains a brake actuator that adjusts the fluid pressure of each wheel cylinder. An electrical component within the actuator may experience an increased resistance resulting in the illumination of various warning lights, including those for the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system, Antilock Brake System (ABS), and Traction Control system.

Consequences

If this occurs, these systems could become inoperative, reducing the directional control assistance, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Toyota will notify owners, and Toyota and Lexus dealers will update the software for the Skid Control electronic control unit, free of charge. The recall began on March 28, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

Potential Units Affected

261,114

Notes

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Recall Date

12-31-1969:21:35:40

Component

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL

Summary

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2012 and 2013 Toyota Tacoma and Lexus RX350 vehicles and certain model year 2012 Toyota Rav4 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the brake system contains a brake actuator that adjusts the fluid pressure of each wheel cylinder. An electrical component within the actuator may experience an increased resistance resulting in the illumination of various warning lights, including those for the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system, Antilock Brake System (ABS), and Traction Control system.

Consequences

If this occurs, these systems could become inoperative, reducing the directional control assistance, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Toyota will notify owners, and Toyota and Lexus dealers will update the software for the Skid Control electronic control unit, free of charge. The recall began on March 28, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

If the spare tire is inflated to the incorrect pressure provided on the placard, tire failure may occur while it is being driven on, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

For the involved vehicles, overlay stickers to correct the tire placard will either be mailed to owners or provided to dealers for placement over the incorrect information on the placard. The recall is expected to begin in September 2014. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.